For nine seasons, John Fox was the Carolina Panthers coach. He took them to playoffs four times, to two NFC championship games and one Super Bowl (XXXVIII).

But after a roster reconstruction led to a 2-14 finish in 2010, Fox’s contract was not renewed with the team. He has spent the past week saying Sunday’s affair in Charlotte, N.C., was no big deal, that it was “just another game.”

But his players don’t really believe that nor do many people in the league who know him.

So, with a three-game winning streak in hand and Peyton Manning behind center, here’s how Fox can bring the Broncos home with the win he wants too.

• Keep the Panthers away from Manning. Much like the Bengals, the Panthers haven’t always looked efficient on defense, but they can get after the quarterback.

They are tied for seventh in the league in sacks with 24 — with the Broncos and Minnesota — and have done some of their best work against the better teams they have played. They sacked Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan seven times and got Chicago’s Jay Cutler six times.

They usually rush four in most cases, but the offenses that haven’t handled defensive tackle Dwan Edwards have allowed Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson too much room on the outside.

They also surrender some big plays. Ryan still threw for 369 yards and three touchdowns in a Falcons’ win despite the pressure, while the Panthers held Cutler in check a little better until he threw for 104 of his 186 passing yards in the fourth quarter of the Bears’ comeback win.

• Throw out of the heavy formations. The Panthers try to rotate their safeties, depending on down and distance, with Haruki Nakamura coming out on passing downs and Sherrod Martin going in on passing downs.

A team that can line up heavy — two tight ends or two backs — and throw the ball efficiently, as the Broncos can, could find itself throwing against formations built to stop the run, with the better coverage players on the sideline.

So, if the Broncos flip the script, throw some on early downs, get a little play action, they could find a big play or two down the middle of the field. The Panthers also start a rookie at cornerback in Josh Morgan, who figures to get some attention from Manning from time to time.

The Panthers do prefer plenty of zone coverages, so Manning will have to show a little patience along the way and take the underneath routes when available.

• Keep Cam Newton in check. The Panthers have used Newton out of a read-option look a little less in recent games, but the threat is there and the Broncos must play with discipline.

Especially linebacker Von Miller and defensive end Elvis Dumervil. They have to hold the edges and trust the players behind them will take the running back.

Newton had a 40-yard run against the Saints earlier this season when both Saints defenders went for the pitch man, which left Newton free to cut up the field for the big gain.

• Take Steve Smith out of the mix. Newton looks to Smith far more, especially if he’s been put on the move by the rush, than any other receiver. Smith has been targeted 70 times this season, including 45 times in the last four games alone.

The Broncos figure to put Champ Bailey across from Smith much of the time, especially since the wide receiver Newton has targeted next most is Brandon LaFell, at 36 times.

When Newton can’t get the ball to Smith, he’s usually sending it tight end Greg Olsen’s way — 53 targets this season.

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